laurel

@Robert Leavitt Thanks, Robert! That's helpful and seems like the best option- to grow right where I am planted.

I understand self-actualization is a personal journey, but it's easy to become like the people you surround yourself with. I am struggling to negate the habits of my family and people close to me, so I am looking to find a new community. Does anyone have advice on self- actualizing in a more social way? Spirituality can be accelerated if the right support is there.

@Eph75 that is helpful. Thank you! "failing to take action may result in building up anxiety." That makes perfect sense!

@rNOW That makes a lot of sense!! that you so much for this explanation! I suppose sadness would also trace back to fear?

How do fear and anger relate? How are they distinct from one another? I know that gratitude overcomes fear and understanding overcomes anger but isn't the reverse true as well? If all fear is gone, then only love is left. If all anger is gone, then only love is left as well?

If children are "blind survival machines," then why is it that they seem to have less fear than adults? They seem to care less about survival and focus more on play.

Various religious practices describe children as being more connected with God. Children are more loving than adults for the most part. Does this mean that we were born with nothing but divine love, but then as we grow and mature we take on habits that limit and muddle the waters, making self-love and our connection with God more difficult?

I am currently a college student, and I often question the purpose of my education. I enjoy the socialization aspect, but I can't help but feel that the classes are worthless.

@Curious These are all great questions that I ask as well. The answer will never be given to us straightforwardly. We must tiptoe on the balance beam of life and meet in the middle of these paradoxes. How to balance "following the flow" VS "planning every hour of your day" in living life ? I.e should you force yourself to meditate every day at 9 PM or should you follow your intuition at the time and maybe meditate 1hour one day and nothing the other (if that's how you feel like) ? How to distinguish "truthful intuition" VS "rationalizations/self-deceptive narratives" ? I.e feeling like not meditating today, is it truthful or a rationalization to be lazy / protect your current self-image to be changed by the meditation ? How to balance "outward information" VS "inside personal insight" in understanding life and making decisions ? I.e being to much relying on Leo, people on the forum, books, youtube videos to get the big life transforming insights VS having the insights yourself.

I just watched Leo's episode on fear. I read an essay on suicide recently called "Heaven and Nature." The author said, "I felt utterly exhausted and yet quite fearless of ordinary dangers, vastly afraid of myself, but much less scared of extraneous eventualities." If all fear boils down to is fear of a total loss of self, as Leo says, then how could someone be so afraid of their own mind?

@brugluiz great quote!!

@SoonHei Thanks for the quote and I followed your Instagram! @pluto That website has been very helpful! @cetus56 That's a good point and great quote! @SunnyNewDay Good to know I'm not alone I am doing MUCH better and I appreciate you all for responding ❤️

Oh, and when people talk to me I don't even want to listen. I want to get up and walk away, and sometimes I do. Now I am considered "rude." I am trying to not let it affect me and just go with the flow of my mind, but it is hard.

The more time that I spend meditating, the more annoyed I get!! I no longer enjoy eating with others. I want to sit alone in silence when I eat. Loud noises bother me. I feel like everyone talks too much. All I feel like doing is laying around and looking at the sky and doing yoga and walking. I used to be an avid runner and exercise addict, but recently all I feel like doing is walking and lounging around. I listened to Leo's "the dark side of meditation." So I guess this explains it... so why am I even talking asking about it? Well, maybe I am seeking support, guidance, reassurance? My family thinks I'm weird. Please comment with any advice to help me adjust

Most people in the community drink a couple times a week. Unless you are a women on your cycle, then you’re not even allowed to be around the medicine.